About CoP
Share-Net Bangladesh brings together the Communities of Practice (CoP) that consist of social and medical researchers, development practitioners, health workers, government officials and legal experts to engage with one another to find solutions and take critical issues forward. The purpose of the CoP is to have a systematised, focussed and demand-driven approach and a clearer focus on maximising impact by using knowledge effectively for improved SRHR practices and policies. The CoP of Share-Net Bangladesh is aligned with the concept of the CoP of Share-Net International.
Aim and Contribution mechanism of this specific CoP
As of 2023, the issue of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Bangladesh remains significant in the context of adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The National Adolescent Strategy, formulated in 2020, recognises that adolescent girls often learn about menstruation from their older female family members. However, it also acknowledges that this traditional method of information dissemination can expose them to health risks and social stigmatisation.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is considered crucial to providing quality and appropriate information to adolescents. Research, such as a study conducted by UNESCO in 2015, has shown that CSE has a positive impact on improving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes among adolescents. Furthermore, CSE has been found to contribute to the development of communication, negotiation, relationship skills, and positive gender attitudes, which not only affect SRH but also mental health (National Strategy for Adolescent Health, 2017–2030).
Overall, CSE in Bangladesh is seen as a crucial component of adolescent health and well-being, and efforts are being made to ensure its incorporation into educational institutions and policy frameworks. With the support of Share-Net International, Share-Net Bangladesh has embarked on a Community of Practice (CoP) regarding Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in order to create a collaboration with different government and non-government stakeholders.
Despite the recognition of the importance of SRH for adolescents in the National Adolescent Strategy, comprehensive sexuality education is not addressed adequately. This omission is seen as a gap that needs to be addressed, as ensuring SRH rights for adolescents would be incomplete without incorporating CSE in schools and educational institutions. It is emphasised that CSE should align with international standards while being adapted to the specific context of Bangladesh. Even though the primary concept of CSE has been introduced in the recent edition of NCTB’s curriculum, it remains not fully explored, understood or delved into. Teachers are not fully capacitated to approach the issue, and parents remain uncomfortable.
To address these gaps and promote a broader CSE movement, Share-Net Bangladesh, with technical assistance from SERAC Bangladesh, has undertaken a comprehensive mapping exercise. The aim is to identify and map existing and proposed CSE programmes and activities within the country. This mapping exercise will provide valuable insights for policy reform processes and the inclusion of comprehensive information on SRH and CSE in textbooks.
This CoP aims to document the current ongoing works on CSE that are being implemented by the government, the gaps remaining, and recommendations on the way forward at the national level. This mapping will be an additional resource, that can be used by the CoP, and updated as necessary. It can also be used to think of Share-Net Bangladesh’s way forward if it continues to delve further into the theme of CSE, and establish partnerships at a regional as well as national level.
Expectations From the CoP Members:
The members of the Community of Practice (CoP) will contribute to the following around the topic of ‘Comprehensive Sexuality Education’.
- Liaising with the international CoP on a regular basis;
- Identifying the main information sources, literature and key experts in the country;
- Identifying policymakers or others who can influence the uptake of products from the conference;
- Discussing and reviewing the selected SRHR topic:
- Reviewing what is known in the country (evidence);
- What are the key challenges in addressing the topic;
- What sub-topics within ‘Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)’ should be prioritised at country-level; and
- What is already available in terms of interventions, tools and strategies for that topic;
- Identifying potential key users of the products to be developed;
Key CoP Resources or Publications
- Research on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Mapping for Adolescent People in Bangladesh
- SM Shaikat (Executive Director, SERAC-Bangladesh)
- Tasnia Ahmed (Programme Manager, SERAC-Bangladesh)
Download CSE Mapping for Adolescents in Bangladesh
Download Sex Education & Contraceptive Knowledge Among Unmarried Adolescents in Rural Sunamganj
Download CSE Policy Brief in Bangladesh
Key annual CoP activities
Connected with Regional CoP and the 8th SRHR Knowledge Fair 2023 (Theme: SRHR & Education)
CoP Members:
| SL No. | Name | Designation and Organisation |
| 1 | Name | Executive Director, SERAC Bangladesh |
| 2 | SM Saikat | Project Coordinator, BRAC |
| 3 | Rowshon Akhtar Urmee | IEM, DGFP |
| 4 | Asma Hasan | ProgramOfficer (KMC), FPAB |
| 5 | Dewan Tanvir Ahmed | Executive Director, CWCD |
| 6 | Dr Afsana Wahab | CWCD |
| 7 | Filippa | BIGD |
| 8 | Maheen Sultan | Shomporker Noya Shetu |
| 9 | Shravasti Nath | Research Associate |
| 10 | Joya Sikder | Association for Prevention of Septic Abortion, Bangladesh (BAPSA) |
| 11 | Mohammad Zobair | Assistant Program Officer, Population Council |
| 12 | Abdullah Al Mahmud (Shohag) | Training Coordinator & Gender Focal, Narimatree |
| 13 | Naheed Sultana | Sex Education Bangladesh, Founder and CEO of SEB School |
| 14 | Naorin Pallaby | Program Cum Advocacy Officer |
| 15 | Md. Ahkam Saifullah | Bangladesh Nari Progoti Shongho (BNPS) |
| 16 | Sanjay Barua | Phulki |
| 17 | Monjuri Begum | CSE Advisor, Plan International |
| 18 | Syed Md. Nuruddin | Senior Lecturer, Media Studies and Journalism, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) |
| 19 | Mahmudun Nabi | Project Coordinator, Right Here Right Now (RHRN2) Project, BRAC |
| 20 | Tasnima Iqbal | Manager, Advocacy and Capacity Strengthening, Right Here Right Now (RHRN2) Project, BRAC |
| 21 | Tithi Rani Sarker | Manager, Advocacy and Capacity Strengthening, Right Here Right Now (RHRN2) Project, BRAC |
| 22 | Jisan Mahmud | SRHR Specialist, Right Here Right Now (RHRN2) Project, BRAC |